Humanitarian Crisis in Al-Hilaliya City
The city of Al-Hilaliya, located in central Sudan's Al-Jazeera State, is currently experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis due to a prolonged siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Reports indicate that the conditions for displaced persons from Al-Jazeera State in Umm Dawaban city, southeast of Khartoum, are catastrophic. The RSF has reportedly grinded fertilized wheat and distributed it to detainees, leading to a staggering death toll of approximately 97 individuals from poisoning, along with over 13 fatalities caused by gunfire.
Atrocities and Systematic Violence
The situation in Al-Hilaliya has been described as genocidal by local officials and humanitarian groups. The RSF has not only targeted civilians but has also destroyed critical infrastructure, including Al-Hilaliya Hospital, which served over 31 villages, and multiple pharmacies. The Sudan Doctors Network has reported that medical personnel are being threatened and obstructed from providing care to the injured. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry has condemned the actions of the RSF, stating that the systematic escalation of violence is designed to provoke international military intervention under the guise of protecting civilians, thereby allowing the RSF to maintain control over occupied territories.
Widespread Displacement and Calls for Humanitarian Aid
As the RSF continues its siege, more than 30,000 civilians are reportedly trapped in Al-Hilaliya, with an overall displaced population exceeding 400,000 across the region. Eyewitness accounts describe citizens being denied access to their homes and food, with some being detained in prayer halls. The RSF has also imposed exorbitant fees for civilians wishing to escape the area, effectively holding them for ransom. Health officials have reported a rise in cholera cases, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of displaced individuals. Calls for international humanitarian assistance have intensified, as local organizations urge for a bridge to evacuate civilians from the besieged area.
